Todays hearing is the first in a series. The laws impact on managing our nations fisheries. Its successes, date, and possible improvements. The committee has announced a field hearing in alaska this month. Morek forward to hearing this fall. I would like to welcome our witnesses. Ccc, and chrise administrator. The last authorization was 11 years ago and created the ccc. It convenes the leadership of the Management Council to discuss common interests. I am pleased to have dr. Quinn to discuss consensus views of the council on the reauthorization. I am also pleased to introduce chris oliver, the first alaskan to permanently hold the position for assistant administrator of fisheries before becoming director. He spent 27 years working at the North Pacific fisheries Management Council, the last 16 as its executive director. As an alaskan, we are thrilled to have you in this important decision. They son his work on the gulf of mexico and experience overseeing the largest best managed fishery in the country, i have confidence under his leadership alaska and americas interest will be well represented in the concerns and perspectives of commercial charter recreational fishermen alike will be valued. For so many of alaskans and their families and so many throughout the country, fishing is a way of life. As i mentioned, our fisheries are by far the largest in the nation. I would like to say alaska is the superpower of seafood, constituting almost 60 of all domestic landings in the country and the of thousands of jobs. In many communities, they are the backbone of the economy. It is my intention to ensure that the next reauthorization guarantees strong coastal communities and alaskan throughout the country. As Congress Considers whether the msa is in need of changes, it is important we not rest on previous gains. The msaast time since was authorized, technology has advanced, yet legislation has not, specifically Data Collection, stock assessments, and other analytical tools to improve the accuracy of fish stock information, better understanding the health of the stocks and how technology can assist in that regard, as well as reducing administrative burdens on our fishing industry are topics right for discussion and possible owns a reauthorization. To thetion as we respond management of fishery resources, we must ensure our nations Fisheries ManagementSystems Support a stable food supply, recreational opportunities, and plentiful fishing and processing jobs that provide for vibrant coastal communities. With that, i want to thank our witnesses for being here and recognize the raking member Ranking Member. Thank you, mr. Chairman, and thanks to our witnesses for being here to discuss the important issue of reauthorizing the msa. The original 1976 act reduce exploitive fishing by foreign fleets in u. S. Waters and protected our countries important fishery resources. Have come tome, we understand the importance of sustainably managing fisheries and preserving the incredibly important natural resources. The most recent authorizations have rebuilt fish populations to healthy, sustainable levels to the benefit of coastal communities. Overfishing and overfished populations and we should seek out ways to improve the Management Systems we create. The need to determine what is working, what needs improvement, and ways to improve fishery management is why we are all here today. I regret i cant spend as much as at this hearing this morning as i would like due to a scheduling conflict. That is why we have a hearing record, and i look forward to learning what our expert witnesses share with us. Michigan like the rest of the country is full of hunters and anglers. Every year, 1. 8 million anglersish on the great lakes, and there are 1900 charter boats operating there. Tos activity is estimated have a 7 billion impact on surrounding economy and directly supports 50,000 jobs. While we in michigan are targeting particular fish where we live, many travel to states like florida and alaska to enjoy saltwater fishing opportunities. Michigan also has a robust marine Product Manufacturing industry that depends on vibrant coastal communities and wellmanaged federal fisheries. Finally, michigan like the rest of the country is full of seafood lovers. That theo be assured shellfish we purchase at markets and in restaurants, much of which comes from states like alaska and florida, or is imported from other countries, is responsibly harvested. Our federalnage fisheries matters to the folks in michigan. Legale do about the unreported or unregulated fishing in the waters of other countries and on the high seas also matters a great deal to us. Resources these through Sustainable Management so they can continue to support the businesses and communities that rely on them matters to folks in michigan. The key to Sustainable Management is making sure we are using a sciencedriven process. Fisheries management is complex and needs to account for interactions between different species, between species, and their habitat. Understanding those interactions takes a lot of study and data, which requires a lot of monitoring. Look for wayst to to leverage developments in technology and science to do the critical job of managing our federal fisheries better. Utilizingthering and all of the environmental information necessary can we understand the ocean, the coastal ecosystems, that provide us with is important and natural resource. Chairman, while i understand most freshwater fishery issues are not within the purview of this committee, i have the great a bill call lakes Fishery Research authorization act of 2017. This legislation referred to the committee on environment and public works will solidify the scientific basis upon which fisheries in the great lakes are managed by augmenting current datagathering methods and utilizing new cutting edge technologies. It is my hope that as part of this important msa reauthorization process that we might have some cross polymerization of ideas and approaches to conservation and management between Great Lakes Fisheries and federal saltwater fisheries. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, senator peters i asked the Ranking Member senator nelson of the Commerce Committee if you would like to make an Opening Statement as well. Mr. Chairman. Just a couple of comments. One of the great things about this committee is the broad jurisdiction that it has. In areas that are so important to the country as a whole. You think about this, the 1970s, there is senator , theren from washington is senator stevens from alaska, and they knew that there was a problem in new england. Overfished, and so they set about to do something about it, and that is more than three decades ago. We are the beneficiaries of the kind of bipartisan effort. Chairman, your state of alaska is one of the most fertile fisheries around. By the way, that is one of the reasons we have one of the most reasons of why we have the u. S. Coast guard up there. Is given the task from the United States navy of protecting our National Security , but it is there to protect that big, big fishing fleet. As it is interesting that the members of the committee, we have a number of members that represent landlocked states. They dont have a direct outlet to the ocean. Yes, you are the great lakes. [laughter] yet, they participate and understand the importance of the Magnuson Stevens act. So thank you for having this hearing. Of course, my state when it recreationalright charter boats as well as commercial fishing, we are known as the capital of the fishing world, and i can speak that sounds more impressive than the superpower of seafood. [laughter] and i can speak for senator great that there is a deal that, from the livelihoods of the people along the gulf, and in the case of the atlantic when senator markey comes back, all up and down the atlantic, that comes from the commercial fishing. The gulf is such an important all types, and we know we have to protect it. Gulfestingly also, the happens to be off of florida, the largest testing and Training Range for the United States military in the world. And so, we have for our national likewise reasons to protect that gulf. I will close by saying that one of the greatest challenges that i saw was when 5 million barrels. F oil were spilled in the gulf that immediately affected the livelihoods of a lot of people, not only in the fishing out any, but also it cut entire season of our Tourism Industry on the gulf coast because people thought that the beaches were covered with oil. Environment, and this committee is particularly suited to protect this kind of ocean environment, and so i am very grateful that you are bringing up for discussion the Magnuson Stevens act. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, senator nelson. I want to welcome chris oliver. Express myommend and appreciation to secretary ross for the selection of chris. I dont think he could have found a more qualified, capable director. Dr. John quinn, the chair of the Council Coordination committee in northeast fisheries Management Council. You will each have five minutes to deliver a statement. The longer written statement will be included in the record if you so desire. Mr. Oliver, the floor is yours. Oliver is it on . Ive participated in the 1996 and 2006 reauthorization processes in my previous role. While i am wearing a different hat and an administration that has yet to take positions on specific arees, my perspectives built on the success of the Sustainable Management of our fisheries and fisheries across United States. I would like to describe the agencys successes, but i want to focus on challenges that remain. The act has been an outstanding theess in partnership with councils, commissions and other stakeholders, we have ended overfishing in this country and are rebuilding fish stocks across the board, injuring a sustainable supply of seafood for the nation in the future. The magnuson act created broad goals for u. S. Fishery management and the unique Management Structure centered around Regional Councils. I can attest to the value of that system which encourages a process in which fishermen, stakeholders, tribes, and the federal government. Haveng together, they brought back numerous resources in fisheries across our country. I am proud of the accomplishments in alaska where our approach has led them to be widely recognized as one of the most successfully manage fisheries in the world, yet we have challenges remaining. Our west coast groundfish species have rebuilt stocks in arent years, fishermen facing outdated regulations and constraints. We have to find ways to maximize the allowable harvest in all of our fisheries, but do so within our overall longterm conservation goals. Is a case for some of our commercial fisheries and Recreational Fisheries as well. So water Recreational Fishing is among the nations favorite pastimes and a contributor to the economy at all levels. We are pleased to announce we are partnering with the Atlantic Fisheries commission to host a National Summit on saltwater Recreational Fisheries in march 2018. While annual catch limits are a cornerstone of Sustainable Management, we have to recognize managing associated Accountability Measures has been a change for many fisheries. That is the case for commercial and Recreational Fisheries, particularly where harvest data can be difficult to collect and timely reports and are management goals may differ. Additional flexibility and how we apply those Accountability Measures an annual catch limits and rebuilding schedules could expand our collective toolbox and our ability to address many of the issues which have been raised in reauthorization discussions. I can assure you we stand ready to assist in any way we can as those approaches are being considered. Americas seafood industry since a global standard for sustainability, however the majority of the seafood we consume is imported. While there are opportunities to enhance stock and harvest, we believe significant headroom lies in aquaculture production, and we are making Marine Aquaculture Development of priority within the agency through operational and budgetary incentives. Coordination of the regulatory and permitting process is a key area where we can be more effective. With these initiatives and more efficient regulation of our stock, fisheries can position the nation to make inroads on the seafood deficit. The current act works very well for most fisheries. Believe there are opportunities to provide additional flexibility to allow us to more effectively manage some of those fisheries, particularly those that have different challenges or benefit generally from alternative management approaches, although challenges remain. In the near term, overall, the the resources, industries, an economy can be realized as fish populations grow and catch limits increase in the longer term. In that sense, i believe we can have it both ways. I believe we can maximize both come and take opportunities to maximize our domestic harvest potential without compromising the longterm sustainability of the resources we manage. To working with congress throughout this reauthorization process to achieve just that goal. Concludes my opening comments, mr. Chairman, and again, i know there will be questions and will be happy to answer them. Thank you, dr. Oliver. Dr. Quinn. Thank you very my name is john quinn. Im here to testify on behalf of the council and coordinating committee. Public interest programs at the university of massachusetts goal of law is right nextdoor to the port of new bedford, one of the leading fisher ports in the nation. I have been involved in fishery issues for the last 30 years as a lawyer, state legislator, and for the last five years, as a member of the fisheries Management Council. Commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries are key contributors to our coastal communities in the nations economy. The council is a cornerstone of the regional system created by the act, and as a group we are strong believers in its benefits. Today will highlight the issues that detail in my statement on three themes come the need for management flexibility, the importance of our public process , and a need for adequate resources. Then he begin with management flexibility. The wide variety of fisheries means that no single solution to management challenges will work in all cases. Createategy should be to a flexible Legal Framework that allows for a wide range of management solutions. This is particular true when it comes to promoting Sustainable Fisheries. To that end, the act requires that a stock must be rebuilt within 10 years. This arbitrary timeline can cause problems. Imagine that every homeowner could only choose a 10year mortgage when purchasing a home. That would work for some, but not for all. I want to make it clear that we do not seek a laminating rebuilding read armen scum the believe targeted changes to the law would enable the development of better rebuilding plans. It is not just the council that has reached this conclusion. Ae issue is highlighted in report by the National Research council in 2014. There is also a need for flexibility at the tactical level. Townsends need to be of the consider a wide variety of management tools without her in some requirements. A. C. L. May not be the best tool to manage fisheries. Most recent these exempted fishing permits to conduct Scientific Research that leads to management solutions. Emt process for the would greatly reduce the ability to get those approved in a timely manner. Fishermen in their communities would suffer as a result. Process,e public clearly a transparent process is critical to maintaining public trust. This need can be met in a variety of ways, but specific requirements lead to additional expenses and ignore the technical difficulties encountered when Holding Meetings in isolated fishing ports. All proposed actions are carefully examine before implementation. Those in theicates act and other applicable laws. We believe alternative analysis should be done within the framework of the act. Experience, the council providing well known, timetested form for resolving fisheries issues. When other statutes are used to develop regulations that limit fishing, that public process often sidesteps. Are promulgated under section 302 of the act to ensure rational management of our fishery resources throughout the range. As to resources, in order to effectively manage fisheries, significant investment is needed at all steps of the process. We rely heavily on data analysis. Reducing stock assessment funds will reduce harvest by u. S. Fishermen, increase imports of foreign seafood. Increasing stock assessment funding, including that needed to collect necessary data, is one of the best investments the administration can make in u. S. Fisheries. Data availability continues to be among the greatest challenges to the management of Recreational Fisheries. s program have catchittle to increase estimates. It does not provide data needed for reliable m